Thurs., Dec. 13, Al Stewart

Many know him by his hit 1970s albums, Year of the Cat and Time Passages, but Al Stewart has enjoyed a rich career before and since. Coming up in the early 1960s, he was inspired by Bob Dylan and was swept up in the British folk movement. Stewart roomed with Paul Simon and studied guitar under pre-King Crimson Robert Fripp. His popular albums found a sweet spot between the soft-rock balladry of Harry Chapin and the adventurous Celtic folk of Fairport Convention. When the fame receded, Stewart returned to cult-singer-songwriter fandom. He's continued to release delicate, mellifluous folk music—frequently with a historical bent. 2708 J Street, www.alstewart.com.